Learning horse safety guidelines during the first few horseback riding lessons is important. As a horseback riding instructor, I want to teach beginner equestrians how to prevent accidents. There are many rules and guidelines that they should learn from the start. Following them consistently they will develop safe habits and avoid unnecessary dangers.
Riding helmet fit
The equestrian rider’s helmet must fit snugly without falling over the eyes. In case of an accident, a loose-fitting helmet will shift or fall off the head, and it will not effectively protect the head, face, and temple area. In addition, do not use any helmet except for Equestrian Helmets. Safety helmets are made and tested specifically for each sport they use. Also, they can expire. If a helmet is older than 5, you should get a new one. If a helmet is used while falling, it is best to get a new one. A helmet can be damaged without any visible signs.
How do you tell if the helmet fits correctly, when to replace it, and when to get a new one?
- Ensure the helmet fits snugly around the head, just above the eyebrows. Hold the helmet bill with your fingers and tilt it up and down. The eyebrows should move up and down with each movement. It should not fit loose and bobble up, down, or sideways.
- Ensure the strap is tight enough that only two fingers can vertically fit between the strap and the chin. The helmet must fit so it will not fall over the eyes—or bobble sideways.
- If there is an accident, a loose-fitting helmet will shift and, upon impact, will fail to protect the head, face, and temple area. Follow this link to learn more about helmets | New To Horses
Types and styles of footwear for all equestrians
You should not wear Chucks, sneakers, or athletic shoes. We do not recommend any shoe with a flat bottom or rubber sole. You should wear Equestrian Footwear.If a rider falls, a flat-bottomed shoe might slip through the stirrup, which can be hazardous. A heel on the bottom of the boot will help prevent this type of accident.
Soft-sole shoes do not have strong upper material like leather that will protect a rider’s upper foot and toes. If a horse steps down onto a foot, the top of a shoe or boot made of cloth or similar material can be ripped off, leaving a damaged foot behind.
People can lose toes and break bones just by the mere weight of the hoof. Imagine if a horse stomped down onto the foot. I know people who lost toes because they wore flip-flops or sandals around a horse. The weight of a horse’s hoof can shatter the bones of a foot inside a shoe made of weak materials. Real leather or similar material on the upper part of a riding show or boot will be more substantial and help protect a human foot from permanent damage. Bear in mind that while it will help protect and lessen the damage, it might not prevent any damage from occurring. Do not use steel-toed shoes. It has been seen that metal does not stand up to the weight of a horse. And the damage could be worse if the steel toe bends or shatters.
Follow this link to learn more about proper footwear. What horse riding boots do you wear? | New To Horses
Horse safety while leading a Horse
For a beginner, there are two ways to lead a horse. One way is with a halter and lead rope. The second way is with the bridle. Follow my link to learn about halters and the difference between a halter and a bridle. https://newtohorses.com/8-10-horse-facts-halter-vs-bridle/
When walking with a horse, you need to stay on your feet and always keep your eyes up and look where you are walking, looking at what is in front of you and what is ahead of you on the ground, but not directly where yu are walking. You would not want to walk into something or trip over something as small as a rock. Or even have your foot fall into a hole made by a horse hoof.
Don’t turn your body to look at your horse. Falling and tripping in front of a horse or falling under a horse can be fatal. The horse could lose his balance when you pull on his rope as you fall. It would likely try to jump over you and possibly land on you. He might turn and run, dragging you next or behind him.
Many scenarios can play out here. Follow this link to find out why a horse might turn around and run if you were to scare him as you fell to the ground. https://newtohorses.com/how-does-a-scared-horse-react/
ALWAYS USE A ROPE LEADROPE OR BRIDLE REINS TO LEAD A HORSE. DO NOT LEAD THE HORSE BY HOLDING ON TO THE HALTER, BRIDLE OR BIT ONLY. As seen in the linked post above about how a “scared horse reacts”, your horse can get frightened and you will either get hurt or the horse will get away. Which could be dangerous if that horse runs where he should not be.
Always keep your horse connected or tied in a safe way
Always keep your horse connected to you or a solid hitching post. Never tie a horse with his reins, only a lead rope. Also, never tie a horse to a moveable object such as a gate or round pin panel, etc.
Never ever tie your horse to you!! Not anywhere on your body, limbs, or neck.
Always make sure to use a break away source such as a hay bale string tied to a solid hitching post with a hoop for the lead room to go through, always use breakaway knot. There are safety hooks that are made to connect a horse to a solid stand alone post or hitching post.
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Never attach reins to anything!
Never tie the reins around a post, your body, your arm, a stall gate, or anything. Reins can break or the bit can tear a horses mouth. They should only be attached to the bit and held your hands. Never tied to anything. Those shows on tv are just plain wrong.
How to walk up to a horse
Always walk from to the front side of a horse. Let them know you are there by talking to them. Most horses know their names, use it when talking to them.
Never sneak up on a horse. Always talk to them before you go near or touch them, especially when walking from behind. They may get scared and kick you. And if they don’t kick you, they might run away.
Never walk straight toward the horse’s tail or rear end. Always approach at an angle, touching the horse first. This will help protect you from a kick to the knee, gut, or face. Follow these links to learn more about horse behavior. How does a scared horse react? | New To Horses and How to read horse behavior | New To Horses
Barn rules and guidelines
Many scenarios can lead to tragedies. That is why we always practice safe horsemanship, which includes wearing a helmet and proper footwear. As well as learning to hold a lead rope and the reins safely. Reliable and safe barns should have rules and guidelines that they teach a new rider.